“That’s enough,” he said, and was rewarded with immediate silence. “You’re all three of you at fault. Jossie, your mistake was in the rhythm and pronunciation of the incant. You should have listened to Bedel. And Kinthy, you should’ve insisted on drawing the second sigil your way.” He raised an eyebrow at them, letting his admonitions sink in. “When you know you’re right, stand your ground. And you, Jossie, need to remember that you aren’t always right.” Kinthy and Bedel exchanged glances muddled with pleasure and mortification. Jossie’s cheeks turned pink with resentful shame.

“Can we try again?” said Kinthy, fingers twisting in her pretty cotton dress.

He shook his head. “I’m sorry. The day’s nearly over.”

Her face fell, tears brimming.

“But if your parents don’t mind, you can practise the conjuration by yourself this eve and show me before lessons start on the morrow,” he added.

Kinthy lit up with pleasure. “Really?”

“You all can,” he said, looking at Jossie and Bedel. “I must still record a fail in the class book, but I’d like you to get it right for yourselves. Now take your seats while I see how the others are faring.”

Kinthy and Bedel scampered to their desks, a little cheered despite their failure.

“Jossie,” he said, as the girl turned away slowly, ready to sulk.

She turned back, still pouting. Her dark green eyes were angry. “Yes, Master?”

“There’s more to magery than having the loudest voice. The best mages listen and aren’t too proud to admit a fault. Remember that.”

“I will, Master,” she muttered.

But would she? Watching her stomp back to her desk, he had his doubts. She could go either way, Jossie Tindel, and on days like this he had his own doubts on whether he could keep her safe from self-made trouble.

Especially since I can’t save my own sister from herself.

“Master!” piped Rine Grovsik. “We’re finished!”

A good teacher never showed favouritism, so he didn’t rush to the classroom’s far side. He wandered over, circumspect, making sure to pause and offer encouragement to Bril Coop, Henne Chatsik and Tyne Yolen. Their magery was about to fall apart too, bless them, but they’d done their best. They nearly had it.

Of course, Rine and his friends Ullie Michin and Ebie Droft did have it. He praised the three boys, and promised himself that next time he’d make certain Rine worked with Jossie. He was a match for her, talent-wise, and more than a match when it came to rumbling.

It’ll do her good to be taken down a peg.